Police constable Andrew Harper was killed while attempting to stop a group towing a stolen quad bike in Sulhamstead, Berkshire. Two passengers in the car, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, were 17 at the time of the attack and were sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment for manslaughter. The driver, Henry Long, received a 16‑year term and is excluded from any early‑release scheme.
A new government programme slated to begin in September will release more than 5,000 offenders over ten months to alleviate prison overcrowding. Under the scheme, some serious offenders may be freed after serving half of their sentence, while those convicted of less serious crimes could be released after a third, provided they have no significant disciplinary breaches.
Officials indicated that the policy could trigger a review of early‑release eligibility for certain categories of offenders. The Justice Secretary has been asked to examine the rules, with a statement expected in the near future.
The mother of PC Harper described the prospect of her son’s killers being released as an insult, expressing deep distress at the possibility of their early freedom. She said the idea of the sentence being reduced felt like a slap in the face.
The Police Federation criticised the potential release, calling it disgusting and stating that officers across the country would be sickened by the prospect of the perpetrators returning to the streets.
Following the tragedy, Harper’s widow campaigned for tougher sentencing, resulting in legislation that imposes mandatory life sentences for anyone convicted of manslaughter of an emergency worker while on duty.
The government has highlighted a severe prison crisis and announced accelerated construction of new facilities, the fastest expansion since the Victorian era, to ensure that the most dangerous offenders remain securely detained.
While the Prime Minister has considered excluding rapists and child groomers from the early‑release programme, any amendment would require new legislation under the 2026 Sentencing Act.
